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Space Security and Defense Program (SSDP), Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Division, Space Domain Awareness Capabilities 1.0 Introduction: Space Security and Defense Program (SSDP), Space Domain Awarenes... Space Security and Defense Program (SSDP), Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Division, Space Domain Awareness Capabilities 1.0 Introduction: Space Security and Defense Program (SSDP), Space Domain Awareness (SDA) is seeking information on how an interested contractor could provide SDA capabilities and services at the scale and speed to effectively address threats in a dynamic and proliferated environment. Submitted concepts may impact FY25 SDA force design analysis. SSDP/SDA seeks both proven and innovative SDA concepts for use between 2030 and 2040 focusing on (in priority order): support to fires, surveillance (of man-made objects), intelligence and reconnaissance, and environmental monitoring. 2.0 General: 2.1 Agency: SSDP, SDA 2.2 Program Office: N/A 2.3 RFI Number: SSDP/SDA_RFI_20240001 2.4 RFI Title: Space Domain Awareness Capabilities and Services 2.5 Email Address for submission: SpOC.SWAC.RFI@spaceforce.mil 2.6 Closing Date: Responses are due NLT 14 Nov 2024. 3.0 Technology Areas of Interest: SSDP/SDA is responsible for developing SDA capabilities for the US Space Force (USSF). The “Space Force Concept for Space Domain Awareness,” defines SDA as “the timely, relevant, and actionable understanding of the operational environment that allows military forces to plan, integrate, execute, and assess space operations.” This RFI seeks concepts in support of this SDA definition. (See also Joint Publication 3-14: Space Operations, 23 August 2023, sections III.4 and IV.2-3.) SSDP/SDA seeks both proven and innovative SDA concepts for acquisition between 2030 and 2040. Concepts will support FY25 SDA Force Design analysis. 3.1 New or additional SDA concepts are needed for (in priority order): • Support to fires • Surveillance (of man-made objects) • Intelligence and reconnaissance • Environmental monitoring Prioritization is primarily driven by mission importance with secondary consideration for the relative number of concepts available for analysis. Concepts should have one or more of the following attributes: combine high sensitivity with wide-area search; minimize solar, earth, and lunar exclusion zones; and low data latency. 3.2 Concepts should include one or more of the following orbit regimes (in priority order; subject to change based on various factors): • GEO and GEO transfer • LEO • Exgeosynchronous (formally known as xGEO) • HEO • MEO 3.3 SDA capabilities include (in priority order): • Command, control, and communications (C3) for current and future sensor networks • Data processing, fusion, and dissemination with low data latency for space threat detection and warning of ground-to-space and space-to-ground threats • Sensors 3.4 SDA must accomplish the four functions: • Detect, Track and Identify (DTI): Search, discover, track, and maintain persistent custody of Resident Space Objects (RSO) of interest and events, distinguish objects from others, and recognize objects as belonging to certain categories, missions, country of ownership, etc. • Characterization: Determine strategy, tactics, intent, and activity, including characteristics and operating parameters of ground, space, link, and threats posed by the pacing threat’s capabilities. • Threat Warning and Assessment (TWA): Ability to predict and differentiate between potential or actual attacks, space weather, environmental effects, and space system anomalies. • Data Integration and Exploitation (DI&E): Fuse, correlate, and integrate multi-source data and enable dynamic decision-making. These four functional areas’ data needs are met through five capability areas: Planning and Direction; Collection; Processing and Exploitation; Analysis, Prediction and Production; Dissemination and Relay. 3.5 Space Domain Mission Assurance (SDMA) areas: • Decision Support: includes the functions of observe, orient, and decide applied continually to assess threats. • Defensive Operations: occur pre-impact, and are active efforts intended to interrupt or mitigate the effect of threats, and to reduce the likelihood of critical effects. • Resilience: the passive ability of the architecture or system to provide, with higher probability and shorter periods of reduced capability, the necessary mission capabilities and target access in the presence of threats. • Reconstitution: provides the ability to reestablish capability or capacity through new assets, operational constructs, or alternative use of resources. 4.0 Key Analytic Questions: Support to Fire Control: • How well can SDA sensors and C2 support space control engagements? • How quickly can we provide target handoff at required accuracies? • What are the required information types, quality, and volume for high-confidence combat identification during engagements? • How many simultaneous targets can we support during a conflict? Surveillance: • How well can we discover, track, identify, and maintain custody of space and space-related targets? • How well can we detect and track dim or difficult to detect orbital threats? • How can we identify anomalous uncorrelated target behavior that could indicate a threat object? Intelligence and Reconnaissance: • What is required for effective indications and warning, combat identification, and battle damage assessment? • How quickly and how well can we characterize objects as threatening or benign? • What is required to construct and maintain target folders on identified threats? Environmental Monitoring: • How can we warn, predict and manage effects of space and terrestrial weather to maintain space support to the warfighter? • How can we improve our diagnosis of space or terrestrial weather effects on system anomalies and service interruptions for correct attribution and corrective action? 5.0 Submission Instructions and Information: Responders may submit concepts, and/or capabilities by email directly to the following email address: SpOC.SWAC.RFI@spaceforce.mil. If classification exceeds UNCLASSIFIED, contact the email directly to coordinate a method of transmittal. Concepts and/or capabilities should accommodate multi-level security including operations with allies. Submissions must be in the following format: Limited to 10 pages, including one cover page- total of 11 pages • Single PDF formatted file as an email attachment • Paper Size - 8.5 x 11-inch paper • Margins - 1" • Spacing – single • Font – Times New Roman, 12 Point • Area of Interest and Number Submission must include on the cover page: • Title • RFI Number • Respondent Contact Information (name, phone number, email address, and company address) Disclosure restrictions Submission must include the following: • Areas of Interest • Technical Description of the Effort • Identification of Risks • Technology Readiness Level (TRL)- A TRL guide can be found at https://www.dau.edu/sites/default/files/Migrated/CopDocuments/GAO-Technology%20Readiness%20Assessment%20Guide-January%202020.pdf 6.0 Additional Information: To aid the United States Government (USG), please segregate proprietary information. Respondents are responsible for clearly identifying proprietary information. Submissions containing proprietary information must have the cover page and each page containing such information clearly marked with a label such as "(Company) Proprietary." NOTE: "Confidential" is a classification marking used to control the dissemination of USG National Security Information as dictated in Executive Order 13526 and should not be used to identify proprietary business information. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. The Government will not be liable for damages related to proprietary information that is not properly marked. All Government, FFRDC and DoD support contractor personnel reviewing RFI responses will sign non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use, handling and protection of proprietary information from unauthorized disclosure. Please be advised that all submissions become USG property and will not be returned. 7.0 Request for Information only, not Request for Proposal (RFP): This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes it does not constitute an RFP or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the USG to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the USG is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondents are advised that the USG will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFI or further market research. 8.0 Follow-on Market Research: Based on the submittals to this RFI, the USG may actively engage with respondents whose innovative or proven concepts provide SSDP/SDA increased or enhanced capabilities. 9.0 Questions: Questions regarding this RFI must be submitted to the email provided by 16 Oct 2024 at 11:59PM ET.